In southern Italy, with particular reference to the upper Bradano river valley in ancient Eastern Lucania, agglomerated rural settlements are generally studied as part of the later third and fourth centuries AD when they become the protagonists in the late antique landscape in southern Italy. The late antique landscape, however, is usually considered to be an inorganic and discontinuous settlement manifestation. Yet, in many areas of southern Italy the growth and importance of agglomerated rural settlements in the Roman landscape predates the later third century. In the upper Bradano river valley, independent vici become important elements of the rural Roman landscape as early the second century AD , when some vici develop a specific productive function while others remain primarily residential. The growth in vici in the upper Bradano valley is clearly tied to architectural monumentalization and increased agricultural production at the excavated villa sites. The combination of these factors in the second century suggests a land concentration and intensification of production on villa sites and the presence of a substantial lower class living in vici.

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